The McRib's perpetual 'comeback' is fast food's most obvious and legendary ploy. Do people really clamor for the McRib once it fades back to black every year? Why can't McDonald's just leave it on the menu forever if they intend on taking it away every year, only to have it resurface while riding a tired marketing rollout?

Perhaps such questions may never get a straight answer, as McDonald's declared that the latest return of the McRib — slated for Halloween, October 31 — will be its last.

The McRib's "Farewell Tour," as suggested by the above post from McDonald's, will include a "nostalgic McRib merch line," which will be available on its own dedicated site on November 4 at 11AM EST.

The McDonald's website urged consumers to grab a McRib "while you can" before its supposed final goodbye on November 20.

Is Mickey D's really saying this with a wink? After all, we've all seen the massive success Taco Bell achieved with the Mexican Pizza's triumphant return this year. It's the year of the discontinued for many food items, though like a concert's encore, folks are already predicting the obvious comeback.